News from Normangee Elementary!

Tuesday, March 3rd our students will take the first TAKS test of the year. Third graders and fifth graders will take the TAKS Reading Test. Fourth graders will take the TAKS Writing Test. For third and fifth graders, this test is especially important because the results of the test help determine whether or not a student will go into the next grade. I know that this often causes stress for kids, which in turn causes stress for parents. But there are some things you can do at home to help your child do his or her very best.

1. Put your child to bed early. You might also read a story to them that night or have them draw before going to bed. Watching TV or doing something active before bed can make it harder to fall asleep.

2. Make sure they eat a good breakfast Tuesday morning. A combination of protein and carbohydrates is best. (eggs w/ toast and jelly, or sausage and biscuits, etc.)

3. Encourage your child the morning of the test with positive words to help them feel confident.

4. Get them to school on time. Being rushed might cause them to feel anxious.

If you have any questions between now and next Tuesday, please contact your child’s teacher. And thank you for doing what you can at home. When we all work together in partnership, your child has a greater chance to succeed!

  Mrs. Lee

Last week our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders took benchmarks in all their required subjects. As an incentive for kids to do their very best on these “practice” tests, I gave them a little incentive. Any student who performed 30% better than their last benchmark would have their name put into a hat for a drawing. Any student who earned commended performance would get their name put into the hat too. If a student’s score was 30% better and commended, then of course their name went into the hat twice. They had an opportunity to get their name in the hat for each test they took. I would be giving away two awesome prizes for each grade level … a $15.00 gift certificate to the Scholastic Book Fair this spring, and $10.00 cash!!

Today, I had our high school aide, Shelbi Cheatham, help me with the drawings during lunch. The winners and their prizes are pictured below. The top row is Gunnar Patterson and Merrilon Garlick (5th grade). The next row is Cameron Ranton (3rd grade) and Jackson Moss (4th grade). And the bottom row is 3rd grader Nikki Moore. Not pictured is 4th grader TyDraious Jordan. Congratulations to these students and to all the students who worked hard last week. We still have some work to do, but you are on the right track! Keep it up! (Click on image to enlarge.)